Posted in MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

Virgen Blanca – The Dedication of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Toledo, Spain (1085), St Chrysanthus and St Daria, Martyrs and the Saints for 25 October

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Virgen Blanca – The Dedication of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Toledo, Spain and the White Virgin (Also known as the Smiling Madonna) (1085) – 25 October:
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/25/saint-of-the-day-25-october-st-gaudentius-of-brescia-died-410/

St Chrysanthus and St Daria (Died c 282) Martyrs, Married Couple
Their Lives and Deaths:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/10/25/saints-of-the-day-25-october-saint-chrysanthus-and-saint-daria-died-c-282-martyrs-married-couple/

St Bernard of Calvo O.Cist. (1180-1243) Bishop
St Canna verch Tewdr Marw

St Crispin & St Crispian – (†285 or 286) Martyrs, Twin brothers Laymen.
TheirLife and Death:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/10/25/saints-of-the-day-25-october-sts-crispin-crispinian-%e2%80%a0285-or-286-martyrs/

St Cyrinus of Rome
St Dulcardus

St Fronto of Périgueux (1st-2nd Centuries) Bishop consecrated by St Peter Apostle, Confessor, Missionary, Miracle-worker. Born at an unknown date in Lycaonia, Asia Minor and died in Périgueux, France of natural causes.
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Périgueux in France, St Fronto, who, being made Bishop by the blessed Apostle Peter, with a Priest named George, converted to Christ a large number of the people of that place and renowned for miracles, rested in peace.”
St Fronto’s Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/10/25/saint-of-the-day-25-october-saint-fronto-of-perigueux-1st-2nd-centuries-bishop-confessor/

St Fructus of Segovia

St Gaudentius of Brescia (Died 410) Bishop, renowned Preacher, Theologian, Diplomatic Mediator, The Roman Martyrology states today: “In Brescia, Saint Gaudentius, Bishop, who, Ordained by Saint Ambrose, shone among the prelates of his time for doctrine and virtue, instructed his people with words and writings and founded a Basilica which he called the ‘Council of Saints.‘”
Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/25/saint-of-the-day-25-october-st-gaudentius-of-brescia-died-410/

St George of Périgueux (1st-2nd Centuries) Priest, assistant to St Fronto
St Goeznoveus of Leon
St Guesnoveus
Bl Henry of Segusio
St Hilary of Javols
St Hilary of Mende
St Hildemarca of Fecamp
St Januarius of Sassari
St Lucius of Rome
St Lupus of Bayeux
St Mark of Rome

St Maurus of Pécs OSB c1000-c1075) Bishop, the first Hungarian Benedictine Monk and Abbot, Peace-maker, Writer and Hagiographer.
His Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/25/saint-of-the-day-25-october-saint-maurus-of-pecs-osb-c-1000-c-1075/

St Miniato of Florence
St Peter of Rome
St Protus of Sassari
St Recaredo Centelles Abad
St Tabitha

Blessed Thaddeus McCarthy (c1455–1492) “White Martyr of Munster” – Bishop. He was a Bishop who never ruled his See/s, even though he was appointed to two of them – Bishop of Ross, Ireland in 1482 and Bishop of Cork and Cloyne in 1490. Patronages – exiles, the homeless, those suffering calumny, rejection and persecution, pilgrims.
The Pain of Earthly Rejection but Beloved of the Lord:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/10/25/saint-of-the-day-25-october-blessed-thaddeus-mccarthy-c-1455-1492-the-white-martyr-of-munster/

St Theodosius of Rome

Martyrs of Rome – A group of 46 soldiers and 21 civilians Martyred together in the persecutions of Claudius II. 269 in Rome, Italy.

Posted in PREPARATION for DEATH, QUOTES on SIN

Thought for the Day – 24 October – CONSIDERATION XXII, The Habit of Sin

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 24 October – Meditations with Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787) Bishop, Confessor, Most Zealous Doctor of the Church

“Preparation for Death”
By St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)

CONSIDERATION XXII

The Habit of Sin
“When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt.”
(Prov xviiu: 3)

FIRST POINT:
ONE of the greatest evils which the sin of Adam caused us, is the wicked inclination to sin. This made the Apostle weep when he found himself impelled, by concupiscence, towards those same sins which he detested. “But I see another law in my members …. bringing me into captivity to the law of sin.” (Rom vii: 23).

And, therefore, it happens with us that being infected by this concupiscence and with so many enemies who urge us onto evil, we find it so difficult to reach the blessed country without sin. Now, such being our frailty, I ask, what would you say of a traveller who would have to cross the sea in a storm in a shattered boat and yet, should wish to load it with a weight which, even were the boat a strong one and there were no storm, would be enough to send it to the
bottom? What would you predict concerning the life of such an one?
Now, we say the same of the habitual sinner, who, having to pass over the sea of this life – a sea which is very tempestuous and, where many are lost in a weak and shattered boat, which is our flesh and to which we are united, is willing to weigh it down with habitual sins! For in this habitual sinner, it is very difficult to be saved because the evil habit darkens the mind and hardens the heart and by doing so, easily renders him obstinate, even to death.

In the first place, the evil habit produces blindness. And why is it that the Saints ever beg God to give them Light and why do they fear lest they should become the greatest sinners in the world? It is because they know that if, for one moment, they were to lose the Light, they might commit any wickedness. How is it that so many Christians have been willing to live in sin, until they have, at last, condemned themselves? “Their own malice blinded them.” (Wisd ii: 21).
Sin has deprived them of sight and so, they have become lost. Each sin produces blindness, so when the sin increases, so does the blindness increase. God is our Light; the more,, therefore, the soul withdraws itself from God, the more does its darkness increase. … As the light of the sun cannot enter in a vessel filled with earth, so the Divine Light cannot enter a heart filled with vices. And, therefore, it is that we see many relaxed sinners lose this Light,
and go on from sin to sin and never again think of amending their ways.

These miserable sinners have fallen into that dark pit, where they can do nothing but sin, speak only of sin, think only of sin and, at last, they scarcely recognise the evil in sin.
St Augustine observes, that “the habit itself of evil, does not suffer sinners to see the evil which they do.” So they live as if they no longer believed in a God, a paradise, a hell, or an eternity.
And, behold, for that sin which, at one time, caused them to feel great horror, through the evil habit, no longer causes them to feel it.
… “Observe,” says St Gregory, “with what ease a bit of straw is moved by the slightest puff of wind” even thus do we often see some, who, before they fell, once resisted, … and strove against the temptations but after the sin, became habitual, they yielded to every temptation and every occasion of sin presented to them. And, wherefore? Because the evil habit has deprived them of Light.

St Anselm tells us that the devil acts with many sinners, like anyone who holds a bird tied by a string, who allows it to fly but directly it flies he pulls it back again to earth. Even so, as the Saint observes, does it happen with habitual sinners: “Entangled by a bad habit, they are held by the enemy; flying, they are cast down into the same vice.” … As St Chrysostom observes: “Habit is a difficult thing which sometimes compels those,. who are unwilling, to do what is wrong.” Yes, because, according to St Augustine, the bad habit at last becomes a sure necessity! And St Bernardine also adds: “Habit is changed into nature” for, as it is necessary for man to breathe, even so to habitual sinners who are made the slaves of sin, it seems necessary to sin.
… These wretched ones will open their eyes in hell, when there will be no longer any good in opening them, except to weep more bitterly over their folly.

Affections andPrayers

My God, Thou hast indeed favoured me with Thy blessings in blessing me more than others and I have clearly, by my offences, displeased Thee more than any other.

Oh sorrowful Heart of my Redeemer, Who upon the Cross wast afflicted and tormented when beholding my sins, give me, through Thy merits, a living knowledge and grief for my sins.
Ah, my Jesus, I am full of wickedness but Thou art Omnipotent; truly canst Thou fill me with Thy holy Love. Therefore, in Thee do I trust Thou Who art good and of Infinite Mercy. I repent, O Sovereign Good, for having offended Thee.

Oh, would that I had died, rather than have given Thee this offence. I have been forgetful of Thee but Thou hast never been forgetful of me. I can see it through that Light which Thou dost now grant me. Since, therefore, Thou dost grant me that Light, grant me too, the strength to be faithful to Thee.
… In Thee, O my Jesus, do I hope never more to be confounded in sin and deprived of Thine Grace.

Posted in ArchAngels and Angels, INDULGENCES, PRAYERS to the SAINTS

Quote/s of the Day – 24 October – Indulgenced Prayer to St Raphael

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 24 October – “The Month of the Most Holy Rosary and of the Angels” – Feast of St Raphael the Archangel

Glorious Archangel, St Raphael
Indulgenced Prayer
(100 days – Pope Leo XII
21 June 1890)

Glorious Archangel, St Raphael,
great Prince of the Heavenly Court,
illustrious by thy gifts of wisdom and grace,
guide of travellers by land and sea,
consoler of the unfortunate and refuge of sinners,
I entreat thee to help me in all my needs
and in all the trials of this life,
as thou didst once assist
the young Tobias in his journey.
And since thou art the “physician of God,”
I humbly pray thee, to heal my soul
of its many infirmities and my body
of the illswhich afflict it,
if this favor is for my greater good.
I ask, especially, for angelic purity,
that I may be made fit to be,
the living temple of the Holy Ghost.
Amen

Posted in ArchAngels and Angels, BAPTISM, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, LENT, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on ANGELS, QUOTES on SIN, St PAUL!, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 24 October – ‘ … Once washed in the saving waters … ‘

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 24 October – “The Month of the Most Holy Rosary and of the Angels” – Feast of St Raphael the Archangel – Tobias 12:7-15; John 5:1-4 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“In these lay a great multitude of sick, of blind, of lame, of withered, waiting for the moving of the water (by the Angel). ” – John 5:3

REFLECTION – “We read in the Old Testament that in the times of Noah, since all humankind had been won by sin, Heaven’s floodgates opened and rain poured down for forty days … This was a symbol – it was less about a flood than about a Baptism. For it was indeed a Baptism which bore away the misdeeds of the sinners and spared the uprightness of Noah. And so today, just as it was then, our Lord has given Lent to us, so that the skies may open for the same number of days, to inundate us with the floods of Divine Mercy. Once washed in the saving waters of Baptism, this Sacrament enlightens us and, just as formerly, its waters bear away the evil of our sins and confirm the uprightness of our virtues.

Today’s situation is just the same as in Noah’s time. Baptism is flood to sinners and Consecration for the faithful. In Baptism, the Lord rescues justice and destroys injustice. We can see this in the example of one and the same man – before he was cleansed by the spiritual commands, the Apostle Paul was a persecutor and blasphemer (1 Tm 1:13). But once he had been bathed with the Heavenly rain of Baptism, the blasphemer died, the persecutor died, Saul died. Then the Apostle, the just man, Paul came to life… Anyone who lives Lent in a religious manner and observes the Lord’s decrees, will see sin die in himself and grace come to life… such as these die as sinners and live as righteous persons.” – St Maximus of Turin (Died c420) Bishop of Turin, Father of the Church (Sermon for Lent).

PRAYER – O God, Who gave blessed Raphael the Archangel as a traveling companion to Your servant Tobias, grant us, Your servants, ever to be protected by his guardianship and by his help.Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in ArchAngels and Angels, BREVIARY Prayers, CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, HYMNS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH

Our Morning Offering – 24 October – O Raphael, Divinely Sent Guide

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 24 October – “The Month of the Most Holy Rosary and of the Angels” – The Feast of Saint Raphael the Archangel

O Raphael, Divinely Sent Guide
St Raphael Archangel, 24 October
From the Ambrosian Breviary

O Raphael, divinely sent guide,
graciously receive the hymn
we suppliants address to thee
with joyful voice.

Make straight for us the way of salvation
and forward our steps,
lest at any time, we wander astray
and turn from the path to heaven.

Look down upon us from on high;
reflect into our souls
the splendour shining from above,
from the holy Father of lights.

Give perfect health to the sick,
dispel the darkness of the blin
and while driving away diseases of the body,
give spiritual strength to our souls.

Thou who standest before the Sovereign Judge,
plead for the pardon of our crimes
and, as a trusty advocate,
appease the avenging wrath of the Most High.

Renewer of the great battle,
crush our proud enemy;
against the rebel spirits give us strength
and increase our grace.

To God the Father be glory,
and to His Only Son,
together with the Paraclete Spirit,
now and forevermore.
Amen

Posted in EYES - Diseases, of the BLIND, SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 24 October – St Senoch (536-576) Abbot

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Saint of the Day – 24 October – St Senoch (536-576) Abbot, Priest, Ascetic, Apostle of the needy, the poor, of slaves, Founder of a Monastery , Miracle-worker granted the charism of curing the sick, especially the blind, those sick in soul and body. Born in 536 in Tiffauges, Poitou, Gaul (in modern France) and died in 576 aged 40, Touraine, France from a fever. Patronages – against eye diseases, of the blind, Saint-Senoch, France, Sassenay, France. Also known as – Xenochus, Sassena, Sassenay, Seno, Sénoch, Senoco, Senócus. Additional Memorial – 25 October in the Diocese of Tours to avoid conflict with St Raphael on 24 October.

Senoch had been born a pagan but at the age of twenty years, he was converted to Christianity by Saint Martin of Vertou (c527-c601), whose is also celebrated today – https://anastpaul.com/2022/10/24/saint-of-the-day-24-october-saint-martin-of-vertou-527-601/.

Senoch retired to Touraine to live as a Hermit. He exercised his gift of healing espeically of the blind, the mute and the paralysed. He used this great grace granted to him by the Almighty also to adsminister to and to free the slaves.

He established a Monastery near Tours, whose Bishop St Eufronius had revived the spiritual ardour of his See, Senoch found ruins in which he set up an Oratory. The Bishop of Tours Consecrated the Altar, placed Relics therein and conferred the Diaconate upon Senoch.

A few years later,, Senoch was Ordained a Priest. But in his pride, Senoch decided to returned to Tiffauges to see his parents and cure his fellow townsmen of their illnessed. However, in this he failed, he could not work any miracles in his hometown and they chased him away with stones.

Upon his return to Tours, Senoch asked forgiveness for his sin of vanity and chose to atone for his sins by leading a life of mortification and humility in his Monastery. He died there in 576 after suffering a fever.

In the 9th Century, the remains of the Saint were transported to Sassenay, a village in Burgundy located on the outskirts of Chalon-sur-Saône, so that they could escape the Norman invaders.

Indeed, in the 9th Century, faced with the threat of invasion, the Monks, who no longer felt safe in the region, began an exodus, with the Relics of their holy founder. After various stops, the small community finally settled in the heart of Morvan, then in Beaune (Côte-d’Or). According to tradition, it was at the time of the construction of the Parish Church of Sassenay in the 11th-12th centuries when the  translation of the Relics of Saint Senoch took place, a gift from the Bishop of Dijon to the Bishop of Autun.

It was the starting point of a very popular pilgrimage for the cure of sick children, the blind and the suffering.

Posted in ArchAngels and Angels, SAINT of the DAY

Saint Raphael the Archangel and the Saints for 24 October

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Saint Raphael the Archangel
The Feast day of Saint Raphael was included for the first time in the General Roman Calendar in 1921, for celebration on 24 October. With the 1969 revision of the General Roman Calendar, the Feast was transferred to 29 September for celebration together with Archangels Saints Michael and Gabriel.
St Raphael:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/24/saint-of-the-day-24-october-st-raphael-the-archangel/


St Audactus of Thibiuca
St Cadfarch
St Ciriacus of Hierapolis
St Claudian of Hierapolis
St Ebregislus of Cologne
St Felix of Thibiuca
St Fortunatus of Thibiuca
St Fromundus of Coutances

St Maglorius of Wales (Died 575) Bishop of Dol and Solitaire in France, Confessor, Monk, Missionary, Abbot, Miracle-worker, “Apostle to Guernsey and Sark” (Sark, French “Sercq” one of the Channel Islands, a dependency of Guernsey, located in the English Channel, south of England’s coast. S
St Maglorius\ Life of Grace:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/10/24/saint-of-the-day-24-october-saint-maglorius-of-wales-died-c575-bishop/

St Marcius of Monte Cassino
St Mark of Campania Hermit

St Martin of Vertou (527–601) Abbot, Hermit, Founder of Vertou Abbey and the Evangelist of the region around Nantes, Miracle-worker.
Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/10/24/saint-of-the-day-24-october-saint-martin-of-vertou-527-601/

St Proclus of Constantinople (Died c 446) Archbishop of Constantinople, Confessor, Defender of the Church and of the Blessed Virgin, Writer, renowned Preacher.
About St Prochus:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/24/saint-of-the-day-24-october-saint-proclus-of-constantinople-died-c-446/

St Senoch (536-576) Abbot
St Senócus of Tours
St Septimus of Thibiuca

Martyrs of Ephesus – 3 Saints: Three Christians Martyred together. All we know about them are the names Mark, Sotericus and Valentina. They were stoned to death near Ephesus, Asia Minor (in modern Turkey). Their relics are enshrined on the island of Tasos.

Posted in PREPARATION for DEATH, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on HAPPINESS, QUOTES on PEACE

Thought for the Day – 23 October –CONSIDERATION XXI, The Unhappy Life of the Sinner and the Happy Life of the Saint

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 23 October – Meditations with Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787) Bishop, Confessor, Most Zealous Doctor of the Church

“Preparation for Death”
By St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)

CONSIDERATION XXI

The Unhappy Life of the Sinnder
and the Happy Life of the Saint
“There is no peace, saith the Lord, unto the wicked.”
(Ps cxix: 165)

FIRST POINT:
ALL men in this life weary themselves to find peace – the
merchant, the soldier and he who has a lawsuit –;they all
try to find peace, thinking, by winning that gain, obtaining
that post, gaining that lawsuit, to make a fortune and thus, to find peace.

Poor worldly ones, who seek peace in this world which cannot give it to them! God alone can give us peace, as the Church prays, “Give unto Thy servants that peace which the world cannot give.”
No! the world with all its riches cannot satisfy the heart of man because man was not created for these riches but for God alone, therefore, it is God alone Who can satisfy him.

Animals are created for the delights of sense only; these find their happiness in earthly things. Give a horse a bundle of grass; give a dog a bone; they are both content and desire nothing more. But the soul which is created to love and to be united to God alone, will never be able to find peace in all the pleasures which sense can give. God alone can render it truly happy.
That rich man whom St Luke records, whose ground brought forth plentifully, said within himself: “Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years, take thine ease, eat, drink and be merry.” (Luke xii: 19). But this unhappy one was called a fool and with reason, as St Bernard observes. “Hast thou the soul of a hog? Ah, wretched one,” exclaims the Saint, “perhaps thou art like a beast, so that thou canst be satisfied with eating, with drinking, with sensual pleasures?”
He observes, that a man may be filled with the good things of this world but not satisfied. “Ye eat but ye have not enough.” (Hag i: 6). And for this reason, the more the avaricious man acquires, the more does he seek to acquire. St Augustine observes, increased riches do not close but rather extend, the jaws of avarice!

When Alexander the Great had acquired many kingdoms, he wept because he could conquer no more.
If the riches of this world could satisfy a man, the rich and
those who govern, would be fully happy but experience teaches us the contrary. Solomon observes the same thing, even he asserts that he never denied his senses one thing.
“And whatsoever mine eyes desired, I kept not from them.” (Eccles ii: 10). But notwithstanding, what does he say? “Vanity of vanities; …. all is vanity.” (Eccles i: 2).
As if he had said, all which is in the world is mere vanity, deceit and folly!

Affections and Prayers

Ah, my God! what is there remaining to me of all the offences I have committed against Thee but trouble, bitterness and the horror that I deserve hell!? The bitterness which I feel does not displease me; nay, it rather consoles me, for it is the gift of Thy grace and causes me to hope, since Thou dost give it to me that Thou art willing to pardon me.

That which does displease me, is the bitterness I have caused Thee, my Redeemer, Thou Who hast loved me so much. My Lord, I deserved to be abandoned by Thee then but, instead of leaving me, Thou dost offer me pardon; nay, Thou art the first to ask for peace.

Yes, my Jesus, I would be at peace with Thee and I desire Thy grace more than any other good. I repent, O Thou Infinite Goodness, for having offended Thee. I would die of grief.
Ah, through that love which Thou didst bear for me when dying on the Cross, pardon me and take me to Thinr Heart and change my heart in such a way that I may please Thee in the time to come, as much as I have displeased Thee in the time that is past. …
Grant me Lord, Thine grace and help and then do with me what Thy wilt.

Posted in "Follow Me", AUGUST - The Immaculate Heart of Mary, EUCHARISTIC Adoration, For FAITH in the BLESSED SACRAMENT, IMMACULATE HEART Quotes, MARIAN QUOTES, OUR Cross, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, SACRED and IMMACULATE HEARTS, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS

Quote/s of the Day – 23 October – St Anthony Mary Claret

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 23 October – St Anthony Mary Claret CMF (1807-1870) Archbishop and Founder of the Claretians

“The faith I have, when I am in the
Presence of the Blessed Sacrament,
is so strong, I find it impossible
to express what I feel…
When the time comes to leave,
I must force myself to overcome, the inclination
to prolong my stay with Jesus.”

“A son of the Immaculate Heart of Mary …
is a man who unceasingly expends himself
to light the fire of divine love in the world.
Nothing stops him!”

“The Christian, who desires to follow Jesus,
carrying His Cross, must bear in mind
that the name “Christian” means,
“learner or imitator of Christ”
and that, if he wishes to bear
that noble title worthily,
he must, above all, do as Christ
charges us in the Gospel:
We must oppose or deny ourselves,
take up the cross and follow Him.”

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/10/23/quote-s-of-the-day-23-october-st-anthony-mary-claret/

St Anthony Mary Claret (1807-1870)

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 23 October – “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” Matthew 22:20

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 23 October – “The Month of the Most Holy Rosary and of the Angels” –Feria –Philippians 1:6-11; Matthew22:15-21 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“And Jesus said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said, “Caesar’s.” Then he said to them, “Therefore, render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God, the things that are God’s.” – Matthew 22:20-21

REFLECTION – “An impress of Wisdom has been created in us and in all His Works. Therefore, the true Wisdom which shaped the world, claims for Himself, all which bears His Image and rightly says: The Lord created me in His Works. These words are really spoken by the wisdom in us but the Lord Himself here adopts them as His own. Wisdom, Himself is not created because He is the Creator but, by reason of the created image of Himself, found in His Works, He speaks thus, as though He were speaking of Himself. Our Lord said: He who receives you receives Me and He could say this because the impress of Himself is in us. In the same way, although Wisdom is not to be numbered among created things, yet because His form and likeness is in His Works, He speaks as if He were a creature and says: The Lord created me in His Works, when His purpose first unfolded. …

The likeness of Wisdom has been stamped upon creatures in order that the world may recognise in it, the Word Who was its Maker and, through the Word, come to know the Father. This is Paul’s teaching: What can be known about God is clear to them, for God has shown it to them. Ever since the creation of the world, His invisible nature has been there, for the mind to perceive, in things which have been made. Accordingly, the Word is not a creature, for the passage which begins: The Lord created me . . . is to be understood as referring to that Wisdom which is truly in us and is said to be so.” – St Athanasius (297-373) Bishop of Alexandria, Father and Doctor of the Church

PRAYER – O Lord, we beseech Thee, graciously grant Thou faithful, forgiveness and peace that they may be cleansed of all sin and serve Thee with minds free from care. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, The WILL of GOD

Our Morning Offering – 23 October – I Wish to Love Thee, My God

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 23 October – St Anthony Mary Claret CMF (1807-1870) Archbishop and Founder of the Claretians

I Wish to Love Thee, My God
By St Anthony Mary Claret (1807-1870)

I wish to love Thee, my God,
with all my heart,
with all my being,
with all my strength.
I consecrate to Thee,
my thoughts,
desires, words
and actions,
whatever I have
and whatever I can be.
Let me use what I have
for Thy greater honour
and glory,
according to Thy will.
Amen

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 23 October – Saint Amon of Toul (4th Century) Bishop

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Saint of the Day – 23 October – Saint Amon of Toul (4th Century) Amon was the 2nd Bishop of Toul, previously having lived as a Hermit. He was born in France and died there of natural causes. Also known as – Amonis, Ammon, Aimon, Amo.

St Amon’s Portrait in the Apse of Toul Cathedral

Amon was one of the most distinguished disciples of Bishop St Mansuetus of Toul (fr: Mansuy), the City’s first Bishop (c338-375). When Mansuetus died in 375, Amon was elected as the new Bishop, the 2nd known Bishop of Toul. See the two Bishops below, in a stained glass window at Toul Cathedral.

Devoted to a life of penance, Amon often retired to a cave (in the village of Favières ) with cell-shaped cavities about 25 meters deep and 3 or 4 meters high.

Amon was forced to flee the Toul Diocese during the devastating retreat of the Huns and Attila, following their defeat at the Battle of the Catalaunian Fields. Tradition has it that a rock, which was blocking the prelate’s path, split open and then closed obrt him to hide him from his barbarian pursuers. Today, this place is called the “Bois d’Amon” which is a small hill overlooking the village of Goviller. His successor was St Alchas.

Amon is celebrated on 23 October in the Diocese of Toul. His portraits can be seen in the apse of Toul Cathedral .

According to the records of the Diocese of Toul, a hermitage bore his name in the village of Saulxerotte. Tradition reports that he himself Consecrated this Chapel-hermitage (now disappeared) and wished to be buried there. At the time, Saint-Amon was considered a hamlet , in the surroundings of Saulxerotte.

For its part, the Collegiate Church of Saint-Gengoult in Toul possesses several parts of the garment and hair shirt of Saint Amon; these Relics are enclosed with numerous bones in an old wooden Shrine preserved in under the High Altar’

St Amon also in the Cathedral of Toul
Posted in FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

Feast of the Most Holy Redeemer, Notre-Dame-de-Grace / Our Lady of Grace in Equemauville, France (1524), and the Saints for 23 October

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Feast of the Most Holy Redeemer – The Feast of the Most Holy Redeemer is a Liturgical Feast. It is celebrated in Venice as the Festa del Redentore. It is also celebrated by the Redemptorists and was celebrated in the City of Rome. The Feast is found only in the special calendar of some Diocese and religious Orders and is celebrated with proper Mass and Office either on the third Sunday of July or on 23 October.
https://anastpaul.com/2019/10/23/the-feast-of-the-most-holy-redeemer-23-october/

Notre-Dame-de-Grace / Our Lady of Grace in Equemauville, Honfleur, France – also known as Our Lady of Consolation (1524) 20 June (The Crowning) and 23 October:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/06/20/notre-dame-de-grace-our-lady-of-grace-our-lady-of-consolation-honfleur-france-1524-and-memorials-of-the-saints-20-june/

St Anthony Mary Claret CMF (1807-1870) Known as “The Spiritual Father of Cuba.” In the first years, records show, that he Confirmed 100,000 people and performed 9,000 Sacramental Marriages.Archbishop of Cuba, one of the Fathers of the First Vatican Council,Confessor to the Queen of Spain, Missionary, Founder of the Congregation of Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, commonly called the Claretians, Confessor, Mystic, Social Reformer, Spiritual Director, Writer, Publisher, Preacher, Apostle of Charity. He was declared venerable by Pope Leo XIII in 1899. He was Beatified in 1934 and in 1950, Canonised by Pope Pius XII. His heart is incorrupt.
The 1969 revision of the calendar moved St Anthony Feast to the day of his death, 24 October (from the 23rd) but the 24th is and had been the Feast of Saint Raphael the Archangel since 1921.
About St Anthony Mary here:
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/10/24/saint-of-the-day-24-october-st-anthony-mary-claret-1807-1870-cmf/

St Allucio of Campugliano (c 1070–1134) Layman. Apostle of the poor and of pilgrims, Penitent, Peace-maker, Miracle-worker.
Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/23/saint-of-the-day-23-october-saint-allucio-of-campugliano-c-1070-1134/

St Amon of Toul (4th Century) Bishop
St Arethas of Negran
St Benedict of Sebaste
St Clether
St Domitius
St Elfleda
St Ethelfleda
Sts Germanus and Servandus of Cadiz
St Gratien of Amiens
Bl Henry of Cologne OP (Died 1225) Priest and Friar of the Order of Preachers, one of the first Disciples of St Dominic
St Ignatius of Constantinople

Blessed John Angelo Porro OSM (1451-1505) Priest, Religious of the Order of Servants of Mary, Penitent, Catechist, Hermit.
His Story:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/23/saint-of-the-day-23-october-blessed-john-angelo-porro-osm-1451-1505/

Bl John Buoni OSA (1168-1249) Hermit Friar
St John of Syracuse
St Oda of Aquitaine

St Peter Pascual (Died 1299) Bishop and Martyr, Theologian.
His Feast Day should be 23 October – changed in 1969.
His life and death:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/12/06/saint-of-the-day-6-december-saint-peter-pascual-died-1299-bishop-and-martyr/

St Romanus of Rouen

Blessed Severinus Boethius (c475-524) Martyr, Layman, Roman Statesman and Philosopher, Theologian, Writer, Rhetorician, often styled “The Last of the Romans.”
His Life and Death:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/10/23/saint-of-the-day-23-october-blessed-severinus-boethius-c-475-524-martyr-layman/

St Severinus of Cologne (c330-c400) the 3rd Bishop of Cologne, Confessor, Defender of the Faith against heretics, Miracle-worker. He heard about the death of St Martin of Tours by the message of Angels’ voices. He founded a Monastery in honour of the Martyrs, Saints Cornelius and Cyprian, which is nowadays the Basilica of St. Severinus.
This Zealous Patron of Cologne:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/10/23/saint-of-the-day-23-october-saint-severinus-of-cologne-c330-c400-bishop-confessor/

St Syra of Faremoutiers
St Theodoret of Antioch
Blessed Thomas Thwing Priest Martyr Beatified on 15 December 1929 by Pope Pius XI
St Verus of Salerno

Martyrs of Nicaea – 3 Saints
Euerotas
Socrates
Theodota

Martyrs of Valenciennes – 6 Beati: A group of Urusuline and Briggittine nuns murdered together in the anti-Christian excesses of the French Revolution. They were guillotined on 23 October 1794 in Valenciennes, Nord, France and Beatified on 13 June 1920 by Pope Benedict XV.
Anne-Joseph Leroux
Clotilde-Joseph Paillot
•Jeanne-Louise Barré
Marie-Augustine Erraux
Marie-Liévine Lacroix
Marie-Marguerite-Joseph Leroux

Posted in PREPARATION for DEATH, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on SIN

Thought for the Day – 22 October – CONSIDERATION XX, The Folly of the Sinner

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 22 October – Meditations with Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787) Bishop, Confessor, Most Zealous Doctor of the Church

“Preparation for Death”
By St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)

CONSIDERATION XX

The Folly of the Sinner
“The wisdom of this world is foolishness to God.”
(i Cor iii: 19).

FIRST POINT:
THE Venerable John of Avila would divide the world into two prisons, one for those who do not believe, the other for those who believe and yet, live in sin, far from God, to whom belonged the prison of fools.

The great misery and disgrace of those unhappy ones is, that they deem themselves to be wise and prudent, whilst they are the most stupid and foolish and, what is worst of all, is that the number of these is innumerable. Some are mad for the honours, others for the pleasures and the defilements of this world. And these, then, dare to call the Saints fools, who despise the goods of this world in order that they may gain eternal salvation and the True Good, which is God. They call it foolishness to accept insults and to pardon injuries; foolishness to deprive themselves of the pleasures of the senses and to embrace mortifications; to renounce honours and riche, and to love solitude and a life both humble and hidden. But they do not observe, that their wisdom is called foolishness by the Apostle: “The wisdom of this world is foolishness to God.”” (i Cor iii: 19) .

Ah, one day they will truly confess their folly but when? When there will be no further remedy and they will say in despair: “We fools esteemed their life madness and their end without honour.” (Wisd v: 4),
Wretched that we have been, we counted folly, the life of the Saints but now, we know that we have been the fools. “Behold, how they are numbered among the children of God and their lot is among the Saints.” (Wisd v: 5). Behold, they are now collected into the happy number of the children of God which will be an eternal one, which will make them blessed forever and we shall be placed amongst the slaves of the devil, condemned to burn in a pit of torment for all eternity.
The lost will continue their lamentation, “We have erred from the way of truth and the Light of justice hath not shione unto us.” (Wisd v: 6).

… What folly, then, for a worthless gain, for a little vapour, for a brief delight, to lose the favour of Go. What does not a subject do, to obtain the favour of his prince?
O God, for one miserable gratification to lose the Highest Good which is God! to lose Heaven, to lose even peace in this life by granting an entrance of sin into the soul, by which its remorse will ever torment it and condemn it voluntarily to eternal misery.

Would you catch at that forbidden pleasure if, by touching it, you were afterwards to have your hand burnt, or to be enclosed within a sepulchre for a year? Would you commit that sin, if it cost you the loss of a large sum of money? And after you know and believe,that by sinning, you forfeit Heaven and God and will be forever condemned to the fire, will you still sin!?

Affections and Prayers

O God of my soul, what should I have been at this moment if Thou had not shown to me so many mercies? I should have been in hell, in the place of fools; as I have been.

I thank Thee, O Lord and I pray Thee, not to abandon me in my blindness; I deserve to be deprived of Thy light but I see that Thy favour has not forsaken me. I feel that it calls me with tenderness, wishing me to ask for pardon of Thee and to hope for great things from Thee, notwithstanding the great offences I have committed against Thee. Yes, my Saviour, I hope to be accepted by Thee as a son. I am, indeed, not worthy thus to be called because so often I have insulted Thee to Thy Face.

“Father, I have sinned against Heaven and before Thee and am not worthy to be called Thy son.” But I know Thou searchest out the lost sheep and Thy consolation is to embrace Thy lost children.
My dear Father, I repent, I cast myself at and I embrace Thy Feet and I will not go if Thou dost not pardon and bless me. I love Thee, O my Father, I love Thee with all my heart. Do not allow me to be separated from Thee again; deprive me of all things, save of Thy love.

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, FEBRUARY - THE BLESSED TRINITY (Traditional), GOD ALONE!, GOD the FATHER, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on PEACE, The MOST HOLY & BLESSED TRINITY, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 22 October – I shall reflect the image of God …

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 22 October – Feria –Philippians 1:6-11; Matthew 22:15-21 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“I shall reflect the image of God
in that I feed on love;
grow certain on faith and hope;
strengthen myself, on the virtue of patience;
grow tranquil by humility;
grow beautiful by chastity;
am sober by abstention;
am made happy by tranquillity
and am ready for death,
by practising hospitality.”

ACW – Ancient Christian Writer
Incomplete Work on Matthew

(Homily 40)

“The likeness of Wisdom has been stamped
upon creatures, in order that the world
may recognise the Word, Who was its Maker
and, through the Word, come to know the Father. ”

St Athanasius (297-373)
Father and Doctor of the Church

“The whole Trinity
has marked mankind
with Its likeness.
With the memory, it resembles the Father;
with the understanding, it resembles the Son;
by love, it resembles the Holy Ghost … ”

St Anthony of Padua (1195-1231)
Evangelical Doctor of the Church

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on HUMAN DIGNITY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 22 October – ‘ … He enabled us to become, in reality, what had only been a mere likeness before. … ‘

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 22 October – “The Month of the Most Holy Rosary and of the Angels” – Feria –Philippians 1:6-11; Matthew 22:15-21 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Whose likeness and inscription is this?” – Matthew 22:20

REFLECTION – “Oh man! why do you despise yourself so, seeing you are so precious to God? And why do you demean yourself in this way, when God honours you by Christ’s birth in our flesh!? Why search out how you were made and not enquire what you were made for? Was not this whole dwelling, this world you see, made for you? For your sake light spreads abroad and causes darkness to fade; for your sake night is ruled and day measured; for you Heaven shines with the varied splendours of sun and moon and stars; for you the earth is spangled with flowers, trees and fruits; for you this amazing mass of animal life, in the air, the fields, the loveliness of water, was created, so that no dismal solitude should spoil the new world’s joy. …

Besides this, the Creator seeks out what else He can add to your dignity – He sets His image within you (Gen 1:27) so that your visible image, might make present, upon earth, the invisible Creator and, to you, He entrusts the care of earthly goods, so that, as vast a domain as this, should not be lacking a representative from the Lord. … And what God accomplished in you by His power, He graciously assumed into Himself – He wanted to be truly manifested in the man in whom, hitherto, He had only appeared in image. He enabled us to become, in reality, what had only been a mere likeness before. … And so, Christ is born, to restore all its integrity, to fallen nature! ” – St Peter Chrysologus (c400-450) Bishop of Ravenna, Father and “Doctor of Sermons” of the Church (Sermon 148, On the Mystery of the Incarnation).

PRAYER – Grant us, Thou servants, O Lord God, we beseech Thee, to enjoy lasting health of mind and body and, by the intercession of glorious and blessed Mary, ever Virgin, may we be delivered from present sorrow and partake to the full of eternal happiness. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in MARIAN HYMNS, MARIAN POETRY, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN TITLES, OCTOBER - The HOLY ROSARY and The HOLY ANGELS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, ROSARY REFLECTIONS and QUOTES, The HOLY ROSARY/ROSARY CRUSADE

Our Morning Offering – 22 October – Through Thee, to Us, Our Saviour Came, Sweet Lady of the Rosary!

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 22 October – “The Month of the Most Holy Rosary and of the Angels”

Through Thee, to Us, Our Saviour Came
Sweet Lady of the Rosary!
By St Amadeus of Lausanne O.Cist (1108-1159)

Through thee, to us, our Saviour came,
Through thee, to Him, we fain would go.
Our lives are marred by wrong and shame,
Yet, confidence in thee we know.
The friendship thou dost give to all
Who love thy name, shall ever be
Assurance thou wilt hear our call,
Sweet Lady of the Rosary!

Thou art our Strength upon the way,
Our Morning Star, to cheer and guide;
Our Beacon Light to show the day,
And lead us to the Saviour’s Side;
A Comforter in ev’ry pain
We find, O Mother blest, in thee,
And seek we, never, thee in vain,
Fair Lady of the Rosary!

Thy praises, Mary, we would sing,
And all our faculties employ,
That unto thee our hearts might bring
A glory-crown of love and joy.
Bless thou each humble effort made
In thy regard and grant that we,
May by thy influence be swayed,
Our Lady of the Rosary!

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 22 October – Saint Symmachus of Capua (Died c449) Bishop

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Saint of the Day – 22 October – Saint Symmachus of Capua (Died c449) Bishop of Capua, Builder of the great Basilica of Santa Maria Capua Vetere, friend of St Paulinus of Nola. Born in the late 4th Century, possibly in Rome and died in Capua, Italy in c449 of natural causes. Patronage – Santa Maria Capua Vetere in Campania, Italy. Also known as – Símaco, Simbrico, Simmac, Simmio, Simo.

Symmachus was born into an illustrious Senatorial family. He was elected as the Bishop of ancient Capua in around 424 under the Pontificate of Pope Celestine I. He held the Capuan See for approximately 25 years, until his death in c449.

Similarly to what happened to some contemporaries, such as Saint Ambrose of Milan and Saint Paulinus of Nola, who already held civil government offices in the cities of which they were elected Bishops, it is not unlikely that Symmachus, or other members of his family, held civil offices in the City, at that time, the City of Capua was among the richest in the empire.

In the renowned letter “De obitu Paulini” of the year 431 , addressed to the Latin poet and panegyrist, Pacatus Drepanius by the Presbyter Uranius ,the Secretary of Saint Paulinus of Nola, it is said:
“So three days before he (Paulinus) was called to the eternal dwelling in Heaven, we were all almost certain that he would leave. There were also two Bishops present around him who had come out of charity to visit him – the holy Symmachus and the blessed Acindino. In their presence, St Paulinus recovered somewhat, indeed, he took something to eat but above al,l he forgot for a while his serious physical infirmity, inserting himself entirely into their conversation like a man of God, indeed almost like an Angel. Knowing that he was about to go to his Lord, he wanted everything necessary to celebrate the Holy Mysteries to be prepared by his bed, so that, after offering the Divine Sacrifice, with the other holy Bishops, he could also commend his soul. He also wanted to readmit, to the communion of the Church, those whom, because of Ecclesiastical shortcomings, he had commanded to keep away from the Sacred Mystery, making peace with them. At the moment in which he was completing these things, with a cheerful face and with perfect lucidity, he began to ask in a clear voice, where his brothers were. Then one of those present, thinking that he was looking for his brother Bishops, who had concelebrated with him, said: ‘Behold, your brothers are here around you.’ But he answered and added: ‘I mean my brothers in the Episcopate, Gennaro and Martin , who were talking with me a little while ago, promising me that they would soon come.’ Of those two Bishops, the first, Gennaro, Bishop and Martyr, is a decoration of the Church of Naples, the other, Martin, an apostolic man, known throughout the Catholic world for his life, was a Bishop in France.”

In the same year, 431, although Symmachus is not registered in the official catalogue of the Bishops who attended, he participated in the Council of Ephesus which proclaimed the Dogma of the Divine Maternity of Mary, recognising the Virgin with the title of Mother of God.

On his return, in 43 , he wanted to dedicate a grandiose temple to the Mother of God, founding in ancient Capua, today Santa Maria Capua Vetere , the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore.

On the triumphal arch of the mosaic apse of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, dating to the 5th Century there appeared the title, visible until the destruction of the mosaics in 1754, Sanctae Maria. The mosaic depicted the Virgin Mary enthroned with the baby Jesus seated on her knees, as if on a throne, among vine leaves and grape shoots.

Posted in MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

Notre-Dame de Talant / Our Lady of Talant, France (1443) and the Saints celebrated on 22 October

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Notre-Dame de Talant / Our Lady of Talant, near Dijon, France (also known as the Virgin of St Luke (1443) – 22 October:
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/22/notre-dame-de-talant-our-lady-of-talant-near-dijon-france-1443-and-memorials-of-the-saints-22-october/

St Abericus Marcellus
St Alodia of Huesca
St Apollo of Bawit
St Benedict of Macerac
St Bertharius of Monte Cassino
St Cordula

St Donatus of Fiesole (Died 874) Bishop of Fiesole, Confessor, Irish Nobleman, Monk, Priest, Poet, Writer, Scholar, Professor, Adviser to Emperors Louis the Pious and Lothair I, Founder of San Martino a Mensola Abbey and leader of two military expeditions against the Saracens.
His Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/22/saint-of-the-day-22-october-st-donatus-of-fiesole-died-874/

Bl Esclaramunda of Majorca
St Hermes of Adrianople
St Ingbert
St Leothade of Auch

Blessed Lucia Bartolini Rucellai (Died 1520) Widow, Tertiary of the Order of Preachers, Penitent, Prioress,
Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/22/saint-of-the-day-22-october-blessed-lucia-bartolini-rucellai-died-1520/

St Lupenzius
St Mark of Jerusalem

St Mary Salome (First Century) Disciple of Jesus, wife of Zebedee and Mother of Saints James and John, Apostles of Christ:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/10/22/saint-of-the-day-22-october-saint-mary-salome-first-century-disciple-of-jesus/

St Mary Salome and Zebedee with their Sons St James the Greater and St John

St Maroveus of Precipiano

St Melanius (Died 314) Bishop, Confessor, Miracle-worker, Hermit.
The Roman Martyrology reads: “At Rouen, St Melanius, Bishop, who was Ordained by Pope St Stephen I and sent to Rouen to preach the Gospel.”
Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/10/22/saint-of-the-day-22-october-saint-melanius-died-314-bishop-of-rouen/

St Moderan of Rennes
St Nepotian of Clermont (Died c388) Bishop
St Nunctus of Mérida
St Nunilo of Huesca
St Philip of Adrianople
St Philip of Fermo
St Rufus of Egypt
St Symmachus of Capua (Died c449) Bishop

St Valerius of Langres (Died c411) Archdeacon Martyr. Valerius worked under the saintly Bishop Desiderius of Langres (c307-c356).
His Life and Death:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/10/22/saint-of-the-day-22-october-saint-valerius-of-langres-died-c411-archdeacon-martyr/

St Verecundus of Verona

Martyrs of Heraclea – 4 Saints: A group of four clerics in Heraclea (modern Marmara Ereglisi, Turkey) who were arrested in the persecutions of Diocletian. They were imprisoned, abused and ordered to turn over all the Scriptures they had hidden from authorities; they refused and were executed together. Martyrs. – Eusebius, Hermes, Philip and Severus. They were burned at the stake in 304 in Adrianople (modern Edirne, Turkey).

Posted in PREPARATION for DEATH, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on FRIENDSHIP, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HELL

Thought for the Day – 21 October – CONSIDERATION XIX, The Gift of Grace is a Great Good and the Loss of Grace is a Great Evil

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 21 October – Meditations with Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787) Bishop, Confessor, Most Zealous Doctor of the Church

“Preparation for Death”
By St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)

CONSIDERATION XIX

The Gift of Grace is a Great Good
and the Loss of Grace is a Great Evil
“Man knoweth not the price thereof.”
(Job xxviii: 1)

FIRST POINT:
THE Lord say: “ If thou take the precious from the vile, thou shalt be as My mouth.” (Jer.xv: 19) He who knows how to separate things precious, from things vile, becomes like God; he rejects the evil and he chooses the good.
Let us note how blessed is the gift of the grace of God and how sad is the loss of it. Men do not consider the value of Divine Grace, they know not “the price thereof” and, therefore, they barter it away for nothing, for a passing vapour, for a little land, for an animal pleasure; yet it is an Infinite Treasure, one which renders us worthy of the friendship of God.
… So that a soul in grace, is a friend of God.

The heathens, who were deprived of the light of faith deemed it impossible that the creature should have any friendship with God and speaking according to natural light, they said justly, since friendship can only exist amongst equals; or, as St Jerome says: “Friendship, either finds or makes equals.”
But God has in many places of Holy Scripture declared that, by means of His Grace, we may become His friends, if we observe His laws: “Ye are my friends if ye do whatsoever I command you: henceforth I call you not servants but I have called you friends.” (St John xv: 14, 15).
Whence St Gregory exclaims: “Oh, marvellous condescension of Divine Goodness, we are not worthy to be called slaves and yet, we are called friends!”

How fortunate would he reckon himself to be, who had a King for his friend!
But it would be audacity in a subject to claim to have a friendship with his Prince but yet, it is not audacity for a soul, to claim to be the friend of its God.
St Augustine relates that two courtiers were once in a Monastery of Hermits and that one of them took up the life of St Anthony Abbot to read. “He read and his heart was drawn out from the world.”
Then turning to his companion he spake thus: “What do we seek? Have we any greater hope than that of being friends of the Emperor? And through how many dangers is thi, the greater danger, arrived at? And how long will this friendship last?
Friend,” he said, “fools, that we are; what do we seek? can we hope by serving the Emperor for more than his friendship? If we obtain it, we expose ourselves to the greater danger of losing our eternal salvation. But no, we shall not succeed in this, so difficult will it be to obtain Csesar for a friend. But if I will it, even now, I can become the friend of God!”
Whoever, then, is in the grace of God, becomes His friend, nay, rather, he becomes the child of God. “Ye are gods, ye are all the children of the Most Highest.” (Ps Ixxxii: 6).
This is the “high calling” the Divine Love has obtained for us through the mediation of Jesus Christ.
“Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called the Sons of God.” (i St John iii: i). Moreover, the soul who is in grace, becomes the spouse of God. “I will even betroth thee unto Myself in faithfulness.” (Hos ii: 20). Therefore, the father of the prodigal son, when he restored him to his favour, ordered, in token of his espousal, to “put a ring on his hand.” (St Luke xv: 22).
The soul becomes also the temple of the Holy Ghost.
“Ye are the temple of God and tfye Spirit of God dwelleth in you.” (i Cor iii: 16).

Affections and Prayers

Therefore, O my God, my soul, whilst it remained in Thy Grace, was Thy friend, Thy child, Thy spouse, Thy temple but then, in sinning, it lost all and became Thy enemy and the slave of hell.
But I thank Thee, O my God, that Thou hast even given me time to recover Thy Grace. I grieve that I have offended Thee, more than for every other evil, O Infinite Goodness and I love Thee above all things.
Ah, receive me again into Thy friendship and in Thy pity, do not reject me. I know well, that I have deserved banishment from Thee but Jesus Christ merits that, being penitent, Thou shouldst receive me again, for the sake of the sacrifice of Himself which He made to Thee on Calvary.

“Thy Kingdom come.” My Father for so has Thy Son taught me to call Thee, come by Thy grace to reign in my heart. Grant that it may serve Thee only, live for Thee only, love Thee only.
“And lead us not into temptation.”
Do not suffer the enemies so to tempt me that they may conquer me.
“But deliver us from evil”
from hell but first, from that sin which alone can bring me to hell; from the great evil of falling into sin and so, of being
deprived of the grace of God.

Posted in ArchAngels and Angels, AUGUSTINIANS OSA, DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on WATCHING, The LAST THINGS

Quote/s of the Day – 21 October – Remember the Angels especially during October

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 21 Octoberber – “The Month of the Most Holy Rosary and of the Angels”

Remember the Angels especially during October

“It was pride which changed Angels into devils;
it is humility which makes men as Angels!”

St Augustine (354-430)
Father and Doctor of Grace

“We should show our affection for the Angels,
for one day, they will be our co-heirs,
just as here below, they are
our Guardians and Trustees
appointed and set over us, by the Father.”

St Bernard (1090-1153)
Father & Doctor of Light

“I say to you, their Angels in Heaven,
always see the Face of My Father,
Who is in Heaven.”
Matthew 18:10

“With these words, Christ is saying
to us something like this:
“Be vigilant, take care that you do not
despise people who are simple, poor or weak.
As for Me, I esteem them greatly
to the extent that, to protect them from all evil,
I have placed My Angels at their service.
And what Angels! Do not think they are to
be compared to the scullery boys
working in My kitchen. No. They are equal
to the officers in My own palace, for:
‘they constantly see the Face of My heavenly Father.’”

St Albert the Great (1200-1280)
Universal Doctor of the Church

“We are like children,
who stand in need of masters,
to enlighten us and direct us
and God has provided for this,
by appointing His Angels,
to be our teachers and guides.”

St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)
Doctor Angelicus / Doctor Communis

“Nor then do thou leave me,
Angelical friend!
But at the tribunal
Of Judgement attend
And cease not to plead
For my soul, till, forgiven,
Thou bear it aloft
To the Palace of Heaven!”

From “Sweet Angel of Mercy!”
By Fr Edward Caswell C.Orat. (1814-1878)

Posted in GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, QUOTES on WILL (Reasonable or Superior), St Francis de Sales, The WILL of GOD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 21 October – ‘ … When we do abandon all, Our Lord takes care of all …’

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 21 Octoberber – “The Month of the Most Holy Rosary and of the Angels” –Saint Ursula and Companions (Died c238) Virgin Martyrs –Ecclesiasticus 45:1-6; Matthew 19:27-29 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“And everyone who has left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for My Name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold and shall possess life everlasting.” – Matthew 19:29

REFLECTION – “WE MUST POSSESS a continual and imperturbable equanimity, amid the great variety of human occurrences and although, all things change around us, remain immovable, with our eyes fixed on God alone.
And, although, all things, I will not merely say around us but even within us, should turn topsy-turvy; whether our souls be joyful or sorrowful, in peace or in trouble, in light or in darkness, in temptation or in repose, in happiness or in disgust, although the sun scorch, or the dew refresh – we should always keep our will fixed on the good pleasure of God, as its sole and supreme object.

It is true that we require great confidence to abandon ourselves, without any reserve, to Divine Providence but, when we do abandon all, Our Lord takes care of all and disposes of all.
But, if we reserve anything which we are unwilling to confide to Him, He leaves us, as if He would say: “You think yourselves sufficiently wise to manage that affair without Me – you can do so and see what will come of it!” – St Francis de Sales (1567-1622) Doctor Caritatis( Consoling Thoughts on God and Providence).

PRAYER – Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord our God that we may never cease devoutly, to venerate the triumphs of Thy holy Virgins and Martyrs, Ursula and her companions that, as we cannot worthily shew forth their praises, yet we may continually honour them, with lowly service. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, HYMNS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH

Our Morning Offering – 21 October – Lord, for Tomorrow and its Needs

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 21 October – “The Month of the Most Holy Rosary and of the Angels”

Lord, for Tomorrow and its Needs
By Sister Mary Xavier (1877)

Lord, for tomorrow and its needs
I do not pray;
keep me, my God, from stain of sin,
just for today.

Let me both diligently work
and duly pray;
let me be kind in word and deed,
just for today.

Let me no wrong or idle word
unthinking say;
set Thou a seal upon my lips,
just for today.

And if today my tide of life
should ebb away,
give me Thy Sacraments Divine,
sweet Lord, today.

So, for tomorrow and its needs
I do not pray
but keep me, guide me, love me, Lord,
just for today.
Amen

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 21 October – Saint Hugh of Ambronay (9th-10th Century) Abbot

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Saint of the Day – 21 October – Saint Hugh of Ambronay (9th-10th Century) Abbot of Ambronay Abbey,in the Ddiocese of Belley, France. Also known as – Ugo, Hugo, Hugon, Hugues.

Ambronay Abbey,

Hugh of Ambronay was an Abbot who lived between the 9th and 10th Centuries. Information regarding his life is scant and fragmentary.

However, tradition and local veneration make him a figure worthy of attention, offering food for thought on monastic life and the cult of Saints.

The main sources which tell us about Saint Hugh are the list of Abbots of Ambronay, present in the text ‘Gallia Christiana’, and the local calendar of Ambray. The first places him in third place, after Saint Berardand before Dulon, around 910. The second places his Feast Day on 21 October, while until the French Revolution, it was celebrated on 10 May.

The scarcity of biographical details has led some historians to doubt the existence of Saint Hugh I, hypothesizing that it could be a mistaken identification with a homonymous abbot of the 13th century. However, local tradition venerates him as a Saint and preserves the memory of his cult.

His Relics were preserved until violence of the Huguenot period and the only representation of the Saint is found in a 15th-Century stained glass window in the Parish Church of Ambray.

Saint Hugh I lived in a period of great religious and monastic fervour. The Abbey of Notre-Dame de Ambronay, which he led, was an important centre of culture and religion. His figure, reminds us of the fundamental role of Monasteries in the spread of Christianity and culture in Europe during the Middle Ages.

Posted in MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

Madonna del Rosario / Our Lady of the Rosary, Basilicata, Italy (1840), St Hilarion of Gaza, St Ursula and Companions , Virgin Martyrs and the Saints for 21 October

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Madonna del Rosario / Our Lady of the Rosary, Noepoli, Potenza, Basilicata, Italy (1840) – 21 October
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/21/madonna-del-rosario-our-lady-of-the-rosary-noepoli-italy-and-memorials-of-the-saints-21-october/

St Hilarion of Gaza (c291-371) Hermit according to the example of St Anthony, Miracle-worker.
Biography here:
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/10/21/saint-of-the-day-21-october-st-hilarion-of-gaza-c-291-371/

Saint Ursula and Companions: (Died c238) Virgin Martyrs
This Amazing Story:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/10/21/saint-of-the-day-21-october-saint-ursula-and-companions-died-c-238-virgin-martyr/
There are other Saints closely associated with Ursula and her story – travelling companions who were Martyred with her. They are:
Antonia of Cologne
Cesarius of Cologne
Cyriacus of Cologne
Daria
Fiolanus of Lucca
Ignatius of Cologne
James of Antioch
Mauritius of Cologne
Pontius of Cologne
Sulpitius of Ravenna
Vincent of Cologne
Travelling companion, but escaped the massacre:
Cunera
Led by a dove to the lost tomb of St Ursula:
Cunibert of Cologne.

St Agatho the Hermit
St Asterius of Périgord
St Asterius of Rome

St Berthold of Parma OSB (c1072-c1106) Lay Brother or “Regular Oblate” Sacristan, Sexton, Guardian of the Relics.
His Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/10/21/saint-of-the-day-21-october-saint-berthold-of-parma-osb-c1072-c1106-lay-brother/

St Celina of Meaux
St Cilinia
St Condedus
St Domnolus of Pouilly
St Finian Munnu
St Gebizo
St Hilarion of Moglena
St Hugh of Ambronay (9th-10th Century) Abbot
St Letizia
St Maurontus of Marseilles
St Malchus of Syria

Blessed Peter Capucci OP (1390-1445) Confessor, Priest, Friar of the Order of Preachers, Penitent, Wonderworker, he was called “the Preacher of Death.”
About Blessed Peter:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/21/saint-of-the-day-21-october-blessed-peter-capucci-op-1390-1445/

St Pontius de Clariana
St Raymond of Granada
St Sancho of Aragon
St Severinus of Bordeaux
St Tuda of Lindisfarne

St Wendelin (c554-617) Pilgrim, Hermit, Monk and Abbot.
His Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/21/saint-of-the-day-st-wendelin-c-554-617/

St William of Granada
St William of Montreal
St Zaira
St Zoticus of Nicomedia
Zoticus of Nicomedia

Posted in PREPARATION for DEATH, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on SIN

Thought for the Day – 20 October – CONSIDERATION XVIII, Of the Number of Sins

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 20 October – Meditations with Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787) Bishop, Confessor, Most Zealous Doctor of the Church

“Preparation for Death”
By St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)

CONSIDERATION XVIII

Of the Number of Sins
“Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore, the heart of the sons of men
is fully set in them to do evil.”
(Eccles viii: 11)

FIRST POINT:
IF God were to chastise offences, immediately, He would not be nsulted as He is now but because the Lord delays His punishment and waits, sinners take courage to further offend Him.

We must understand, that although God waits and endures, He will not wait and suffer forever. It is the opinion of many of the holy Fathers that, as God has determined for each man, the days of his life, the state of his health, the talents He wills to bestow upon him “Thou hast ordered all things in measure, number and weight” (Wisd xi: 21) so has He determined for each one, the number of sins which He will pardon which, being fulfilled, He pardons no more!
St Augustine says: “We should remember that, for a certain time, the long-suffering of God bears with each one of us but when this time is completed, no pardon is reserved for him.”
St Eusebius of Caesarea also says that “God waits up to a certain number and afterwards, leaves the sinner.”

This opinion of the Fathers is supported by Holy Scripture.
In one place it says that the Lord delayed the ruin of the Amorites. “For the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.” (Gen xv: 16). In another, “I will no more have mercy upon the house of Israel.” (Hos i: 6). Again, “Because all those men …. have tempted Me now these ten times. … Surely
they shall not see the land which I swore unto their fathers.”
(Num xiv: 22, 23). In another place Job says: “My transgression is sealed up in a bag.” (Job xiv: 17).

Sinners keep no account of their sins but God does, strictly, that He may punish when the harvest is ripe that is, when the number is completed. …
Sinner, you should fear, for the sins which have been forgiven you, for if you add another sin, it may be that the new sin with those already pardoned, will complete the number and then, there will remain no more mercy for you and this Holy Scripture plainly declares: “The Lord patiently expecteth that when the day of judgement shall arrive, He may punish them in the fulness of their sins.”
(2 Mace vi: 14) .
So that God waits until the day in which the measure of sins is full and then, He punishes.
Of this delayed punishment, there are many examples in Holy Scripture and especially in the case of Saul, who was forsaken by God for his last disobedience and who prayed that Samuel would intercede for him, saying: “I prav thee, pardon my sin and turn again with me that I may worship the Lord.” (i Sam xv: 25). But Samuel answered: “I will not return with thee, for thou hast rejected the word of the Lord and the Lord hath rejected thee.” (Ib xv: 26). …

Oh, to how many miserable sinners does it not happen that they live for many years in their sins but when their number is fiull, they are seized by death and are sent to hell! “They spend their days in wealth and in a moment, go down to the grave.” (Job xxi: 13).

Affections andr.Prayers

Oh, my God, I thank Thee; how many, for fewer sins than mine are now in hell and for them there is no more pardon or hope! Whilst I am still living, … I have, if I desire it, the hope of pardon and of Heaven. Yes, my God, I desire pardon. I repent, above every other sin, that of having offended Thee because I have offended Thy Infinite Goodness.

Eternal Father, “Look upon the Face of Thine Anointed.” (Ps Ixxxiv: 9). Look upon that Son, Who died upon that Cross for me. By His merits, have pity upon me.
I promise to choose death rather than to offend Thee more. I may justly fear, thinking upon the sins that I have committed and the graces which Thou hast bestowed upon me, that should I add another sin, my measure would be full and I should be condemned.
Oh, help me by Thy grace – from Thee I look for light and strength to be faithful to Thee and if ever Thou seest that I should again offend Thee, let me die in this moment, in which I trust that I an in Thy grace.
I love Thee, my God, above all things and I fear more than death itself, to find myself agaiagain out of Thy grace ; in mercy gran, this may never be.

Posted in QUOTES on HUMILITY, SAINT of the DAY

Quote/s of the Day – 20 October– St John Cantius

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 20 Octoberber – St John Cantius (1390-1473) Confessor

“Going hand-in-hand
with that true brand of humility
one saw in him a great childlike humility.
There was nothing deceitful or ambiguous
in his actions and words.
Whatever was in his heart, he revealed,
unhesitantly and honestly.
If he thought his words,
even when speaking the truth,
could accidentally offend someone,
he humbly asked for forgiveness
before approaching the Altar.”

Pope Clement X
(In the Bull of Canonisation
of St John Cantius on 16 July 1767)

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/10/20/quote-s-of-the-day-20-october-st-john-cantius-2/

St John Cantius (1390-1473)

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, GOD is LOVE, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on KINDNESS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on The SOUL, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 20 October – “Whose image and inscription is this? ” – Matthew 22:20

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 20 October – “The Month of the Most Holy Rosary and of the Angels” – St John Cantius (1390-1473) Confessor – Philippians 1:6-11; Matthew 22:15-21 – – – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Whose image and inscription is this? ” – Matthew 22:20

REFLECTION – “Moses wrote in the Law: “God created man in His image and likeness” (Gn 1:26). I would ask you to reflect on the importance of this saying. God, Who is almighty, invisible, incomprehensible and without compare, when he fashioned man of clay, ennobled him by the image of His Own greatness. What is there in common between man and God, between clay and spirit? For “God is spirit” (Jn 4:24). Therefore, it represents a great sign of His esteem for man that God should have rewarded him with the image of His eternity and the likeness of His Own life. The greatness of man lies in his likeness to God, as long as he preserves it …

As long as a soul makes good use of the virtues sown into it, it remains like God. All the virtues God placed in us at our creation He has taught us to repay to Himself. In the first place, He requires us to love Him with all our heart (Dt 6:5) since, from the beginning, even before we existed, “He loved us first” (1Jn 4:10). To love God, then, is to restore His image within us. Now, he loves God who keeps His commandments…

Therefore, it is for us to reflect to our God, to our Father, the unsullied image of His Own holiness, since He is holy and has said: “Be holy as I Am Holy” (Lv 11:45) with love, since He is Love and John has said: “God is Love” (1Jn 4:8); with kindness and in truth, since God is good and true. Let us not become depictors of a false image … And lest we insinuate the image of pride within ourselves, let us allow Christ to paint His image within us.” – St Columban (543-615) Monk, Founder of monasteries, Father of the Church (Instruction 11, 1-4).

PRAYER – Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that by following the example of blessed John, Thy Confessor, we may advance in a knowledge of holiness and, by showing pity for others, obtain Thou forgiveness through his merits. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Prayers and Novena, MARIAN HYMNS, MARIAN PRAYERS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

Our Morning Offering – 20 October – O Purest of Creatures, Sweet Mother, Sweet Maid

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 20 October – “The Month of the Most Holy Rosary and of the Angels” – Feast of Mater Admirabilis / Mother Most Admirable

O Purest of Creatures,
Sweet Mother, Sweet Maid
By Fr Frederick W Faber C.Orat. (1814-1863)

O Purest of creatures, sweet Mother, sweet maid,
The one spotless womb wherein Jesus was laid!
Dark night hath come down on us, Mother! and we
Look out for thy shining, sweet Star of the Sea!

Deep night hath come down on this rough-spoken world,
And the banners of darkness are boldly unfurled;
And the tempest-tossed Church,—
all her eyes are on thee;
They look to thy shining, sweet Star of the Sea!

He gazed on thy soul, it was spotless and fair,
For the empire of sin—it had never been there;
None ever had owned thee, dear Mother but He.
And He blest thy clear shining, sweet Star of the Sea!

Earth gave Him one lodging; t’was deep in thy breast,
And God found a home where the sinner finds rest;
His home and His hiding-place, both were in thee,
He was won by thy shining, sweet Star of the Sea!

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 20 October – Saint Vitalis of Salzburg (Died c730) Bishop

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Saint of the Day – 20 October – Saint Vitalis of Salzburg (Died c730) Bishop of Salburg for around 15 years, Monk, Abbot, Missionary. Born in either France or Italy and died in c730 at his Diocese of Salzburg in Austria of natural causes. Patronage – of Pinzgau; of children and pregnant women, Salzburg, Austria together with St Rupert (in the image below of St Vitalis’ Altar at the Monastery of St Peter, St Ruper’s Statue is on the left and St Vitalis on the right). The Name ‘Vitalis’ means: ‘the invigorating one’ (Latin). Also known as – Vergilius.

Vitalis was a student of the first Bishop of Salzburg, St Rupert (c660–710) and his successor as the Second Bishop and Abbot of the important Benedictine Monastery of St Peter from 715/716.

According to tradition, he was particularly involved in missionary work in Pinzgau, south of Salzburg, of which City he is the patron.

Vitalis’ grave was initially located in the Cathedral in Salzburg. It was an important pilgrimage site in the Middle Ages after miracles occurred there during the construction of the Cathedral. In the middle of the 15th Century, Pope Pius II approved the reburial of the Relics in the Church of St Peter’s Monastery. Vitalis’ grave relief from 1497 is an important medieval sculpture. Below is the beautiful Altar of St Vitalis at the Abbey Church of St Peter.

In 1678, Pope Urban VIII approved St Vitalisa festival with a Mass and Officein the Diocese of Salzburg. He is listed as a Saint in the Roman Martyrology . Attributes: Lily growing from his heart.

St Rupert’s Life here:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/03/27/saint-of-the-day-st-rupert-of-salzburg-c-660-710/

The massive St Peter’s Monastery and Church